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The pristine Cowichan Lake District includes the communities of Lake Cowichan, Honeymoon Bay, Youbou, Mesachie Lake, and Caycuse. This mountainous area, rich with wildlife, is an ideal destination for a family vacation or an outdoor adventure. The scenic 75-kilometre (47-mile) drive on paved and gravel roads around Cowichan Lake takes about an hour and a half.
History
(The following information was written by Matthew Bystedt and is provided by the Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce website. Contact information is provided at the bottom of this page.)
Cowichan Lake's settlement history begins in about 1883 with the arrival of William Forest to Cowichan Bay. In 1884, he and James Tolmie (older brother of a later premier of British Columbia) toured the lake with the help of the native Ikilass brothers. Mr. Forest impressed by, "the most beautiful spot he had ever seen", later lobbied the premier for a road to the lake. The premier decided that if ten to twelve settlers were to move to the lake then a road would be built. Mr. Forest assured the premier this would not be a problem and thus was authorized to build a road.
Thanks to Mr. Forest's efforts a rough road was finished to the head of the Cowichan River in 1886 and settlement began. A fair number of settlers, sensing the value of being at the gateway to the Cowichan Lake region, built their homes at the end of the road. This settlement is what became the Town of Lake Cowichan.
In 1943 the idea of incorporating the village at the foot of the lake took hold and after most objections had been dealt with it went ahead. The community at the head of the Cowichan River became the Village of Lake Cowichan on August 19, 1944, with 660 people in its borders. The village council inherited many problems. Buying all three local water systems and increasing the size of the dam on Stanley Creek solved the problem of adequate drinking water. Later councils would buy a new pumping station to use Cowichan Lake to supply the water. Over many years the inadequate street lights, sidewalks, paving, garbage removal and other problems were slowly dealt with.
Today, all of the railways that provided easy transport of lumber to market are gone. It is estimated that in 34 years of operation the E & N railway hauled 400,000 cars of lumber away. Gone are the mills that cut the trees felled in the local woods into lumber. Thus, all the historical reasons for Lake Cowichan's growth as the entrance and exit to the lake area are gone. This does not spell an end to Lake Cowichan, however, as tourism is fast becoming how area residents make a living. Now, a significant number of people going on to Gordon Bay, the Caramanah Walbarn, and other great camping and hiking spots come through and stop in Lake Cowichan. This continues the tradition of Lake Cowichan being the gateway to Cowichan Lake and beyond.
Location
Lake Cowichan is located on Highway 18 on southern Vancouver Island, 28 kilometres (17.5 miles) west of Duncan.
Places to See
- Cowichan Lake Tourist Infocentre
The Cowichan Lake Tourist Info Centre is housed in a beautiful log cabin at Saywell Park in the heart of the Town of Lake Cowichan. Behind the infocentre are the Kaatza Station Museum and Historic Bell Tower School. Ample parking and a covered picnic area are available for the use of both residents and visitors alike. Saywell Park is adjacent to the Cowichan River.
- Kaatza Station Museum
The Kaatza Station Museum and Archives, governed by the Kaatza Historical Society, is housed in a 1913 Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway Station. Its members are dedicated to collecting, conserving, cataloguing, researching, displaying, and interpreting the history of the Cowichan Lake area. The museum and archives place special emphasis on logging, lumbering, railroading, mining and pioneer life.
- Cowichan Lake Education Centre
Nestled among 42 acres of Douglas Fir forest with 600 feet of secluded shoreline on one of Vancouver Island's largest freshwater lakes, is a residential outdoor learning and vacation centre. This field centre is strategically located at the West Coast gateway to the majestic landscape of Carmanah-Walbran Provincial Park with its popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. It is also accessible to the spectacular rugged terrain of Clayoquot Sound's Pacific Rim National Park where hikers and backpackers flock to undertake the challenge of the world-renowned West Coast Trail.
- Cowichan River Provincial Park
If it's outdoor recreation you're after, Cowichan River Provincial Park on southern Vancouver Island is the place to go. Whether you want to go swimming, canoeing, white-water kayaking, tubing, camping, fishing or hiking, or just want to take it easy in the sun, you're bound to find something to do in this "recreation corridor" south of Duncan.
This spectacular park protects significant stretches of the Cowichan River, a recently designated Provincial Heritage River internationally renowned for its wild salmon and steelhead fishery.
The park is adjacent to an abandoned rail right-of-way, which provides recreation opportunities for cyclists, hikers and horseback riders. While staying at one of two scenic campgrounds, visitors can enjoy other features of Cowichan River Provincial Park. These include the historic 20 km long Cowichan River Footpath and a variety of day-use and picnic areas, each with their own unique features and highlights. Visitors won't want to miss the sights from the restored 66-Mile and Holt Creek Trestles on the Trans-Canada Trail, which offer spectacular river views and the opportunity to imagine back to a time when log-laden traincars would thunder along these tracks high above the Cowichan River.
- Gordon Bay Provincial Park
For a great family camping vacation, head to Gordon Bay Provincial Park, located on the shores of Lake Cowichan, north of Duncan on Vancouver Island. In the summer the lake is warm and the sandy beach makes for great family swimming. History buffs find plenty to interest them in the park and the surrounding area, which is home to a second-growth Douglas-fir forest. Set in one of Vancouver Island's sunniest valleys, this area boasts the highest average annual temperature in Canada.
The lake is known for its spectacular fresh-water fishing in the spring, fall and winter, when anglers can be challenged by rainbow, cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout. Waterskiing and windsurfing are also popular activities on the lake.
This small wilderness area features a number of walking and hiking trails with unparalleled views. Keen-eyed hikers can spot a variety of wildlife and birds, including juncos, Stellar's jays, chestnut-backed chickadees, mergansers and golden eye ducks. Visit in April when the wildflowers are at their peak.
- Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park is a luxuriously forested sanctuary that is without a doubt one of the most remarkable wild places on Vancouver Island. The lower Carmanah Valley was declared a provincial park in 1990, and the Walbran and upper Carmanah Valleys were added in 1995. The park offers protection to diverse forest ecosystems, including a large Sitka spruce ecosystem that represents 2% of BC's remaining old-growth forest.
Carmanah Walbran is home to some of the world's largest spruce trees, some reaching heights in excess of 95 meters and living for 800 years or more. The park is also home to ancient, gnarled cedars - estimated to be well over 1,000 years old - clinging to the side hills. Nestled beneath these awe-inspiring trees are millions of mosses and ferns and other varieties of flora and fauna, possibly only in an ecosystem that has remained undisturbed for hundreds of years.
Several hiking trails in the Carmanah Valley provide access to many of the park's notable natural features, including some of the area's largest trees. Many sections of the trail are extremely muddy and difficult. Be equipped with appropriate clothing (including adequate rain gear) and good hiking boots.
Things to Do
- Hiking
From peaceful, easy walks to rugged climbs, the Cowichan countryside offers an abundance of hiking opportunities for all levels of hikers. The Trans-Canada Trail, the Cowichan River Corridor, and provincial parks offer gorgeous scenery and spectacular views.
- Boating / Sailing
Whether you prefer the ocean or a lake, the Cowichan Region is a boater's paradise. From kayaking along the rocky shores of a bay to sailing the briny ocean, the waterways are both beautiful and accessible. Full service marinas are safe and conveniently located close to restaurants, pubs, and shopping areas.
- Kayaking
Discover nature's treasures by sea kayak - come eye to eye with an array of fascinating marine life. Relax your mind and soul on a leisurely tour over emerald waters among seals, cormorants and kingfishers. For those wishing to immerse themselves in the power and majestic beauty of the West Coast, guides will lead on a multi-day excursion.
- Biking
What better way to see and feel the Cowichan than by bike. If you'd like something fairly challenging try the trails of Mount Tzouhalem, Spectacle Lake Provincial Park or Maple Mountain. There is also a three-hour easy ride from Glenora (southwest of Duncan) to the town of Lake Cowichan along the Trans Canada Trail. The Trans-Canada Trail is also accessible from Shawnigan Lake and includes Koksilah River Provincial Park and views of the Kinsol Trestle. Take a wine country tour for a more leisurely pace where you will see rolling farmland and beautiful scenery. For the novice there are many easy biking opportunities in all communities by keeping to the country roads.
- Fishing
The Cowichan River is renowned for its brown trout, rainbow and steelhead trout, and its vigorous salmon runs. Chinook, coho, and steelhead that school in Cowichan Bay enter the river to spawn in November and December. There's also a steelhead run in March.
Events
- Lake Days
For 64 years Lake Days has been celebrated in the Cowichan Lake area. The festivities begin on June 4th and last until June 10th. Lake Days week starts with the Strawberry Tea event, where the seniors of the community meet and greet the new Lady of the Lake candidates. On Opportunity Night, the Lady of the Lake Society holds its annual fundraiser, with dance performances, cultural speeches, and impromptu questions.
- Delightfully Daffy Daze
An April weekend with a kids parade, hot dog sales, a silent auction at the seniors' centre, and a hanging basket planting.
- Heritage Days
Features a Kaatza Art Show at the Curling Lounge, special exhibits all week at the Kaatza Station Museum, a Logging Truck Parade, an Antique Car Show and Shine, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Memorial Park.
- Salmon and Mushroom Festival
Come to the market and look for fresh bargains or sample freshly cooked items. Try delicious mushroom and salmon recipes, or participate in the mushroom identification event.
- Winter Wonderland Carnival
A fun evening of skating and ice painting, with a bonfire and refreshments at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena.
- The Great Lake Walk
The Great Lake Walk and Ultramarathon is a 56-kilometre walk or run around beautiful Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island. This walking/running event takes place on the third Saturday in September each year.
Cowichan Lake is the second largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island on the West Coast of British Columbia. The lake runs from the northwest to the southeast and empties into the world famous Cowichan River in the Town of Lake Cowichan.
- Paddlefest
Paddlefest is a weekend-long festival with activities and events for paddlers of all ages and paddling abilities. Located at Transfer Beach in beautiful Ladysmith, British Columbia, participants can attend this free event and enjoy a variety of activities including vendor/trade show, workshops, demonstrations and fun activities.
There are on-land and on-water workshops offered both Saturday and Sunday to help you hone your paddling strokes, pack your boat, practice rescue techniques and many other helpful tips.
The industry's leading manufacturers, retailers, and outfitters will have booths set up for you to check out the latest gear and pick up a few festival "deals". A full range of 100 boats of different makes and models will be on-hand for you to take a "test-paddle" of the latest technology and designs.
With participants from all over Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, Washington State, Alberta and even Ontario attending in the past - there will be lots to talk about!
Contact Information
Cowichan Lake District Chamber of Commerce
Box 824
125C South Shore Road
Lake Cowichan, BC
V0R 2G0
Phone: 250-749-3244
Fax: 250-749-0187
E-mail: info@cowichanlakecc.ca
Website: www.cowichanlake.ca
Town of Lake Cowichan
39 South Shore Road
PO Box 860
Lake Cowichan, BC
V0R 2G0
Phone: 250-749-6681
Fax: 250-749-3900
Website: www.town.lakecowichan.bc.ca
Tourism Cowichan
Website: http://visit.cowichan.net/
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